Pine Tree Equity Partners appears ready to double down with its third fund. The firm is out targeting $100 million for its latest vehicle, roughly twice what it raised for each of its two previous vehicles, which focus on small-cap buyouts.

And a few other stories available exclusively to LBO Wire subscribers:KPS Capital Partners looks to be the latest firm to join the “one and done” club with its latest vehicle, which is attracting enough demand to close well over its $3 billion target, Mike Wursthorn reports . . . Hudson Clean Energy Partners is pressing pause on fundraising for its latest fund amidst a firm-wide downsizing, Yuliya Chernova reports.

(LBO Wire is a daily newsletter with comprehensive analysis of all the investments, deals, fundraisings and personnel moves involving private equity firms. For a two-week trial, visit our homepage, scroll to the bottom and click “try for free.”)

Elsewhere on the web:

Energy Future Holdings, the Texas power company bought by KKR and TPG in a record-setting buyout, is exploring options to manage its staggering debt load, options that could include splitting the company or a debt restructuring, possibly through a bankruptcy filing or other means, the Wall Street Journal’s Mike Spector and Matt Wirz report.

No horsing around: the New Statesman notes that two of the companies involved in the horse-meat scandal that is turning stomachs globally are actually private equity backed. Our Private Equity News colleague Paul Hodkinson posits that Lion Capital’s “low profile approach” may not be the best course amid the media maelstrom, noting that “private equity’s selling point is so often the involvement it has with portfolio companies, then it is too easy for firms to then distance themselves from any scandals that may emerge.”

Bahrain-based Arcapita is proposing a plan to wind down and sell off its assets – including private equity and venture capital holdings – as part of a plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Dow Jones Newswires’ Asa Fitch has more here.

With the average hold-time for portfolio companies extending and the IPO market still stop-and-go, dealmakers may consider looking to the far east for an exit. Sharon Terlep reports on the progress of Chinese acquirers, who, after a few missteps, are increasingly targeting small companies and minority stakes in businesses.

Dell is defending its deal with its eponymous founder after opposition from its largest shareholder, Southeastern Asset Management, Dave Benoit over at Deal Journal reports.